New park attraction revealed

A STATE-of-the-art animal research centre will be built at one of the Gold Coast’s biggest theme parks.

The State Government this morning will announce it will spend $2.7 million in partnership with Dreamworld to expand the park’s corroboree and wildlife area.

It will include the Dreamworld Future Lab, a “worldclass” facility which will be the state’s first native animal genome research facility.

Gold Coast-based Assistant Tourism Industry Development Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the new development was the latest step in diversifying the city’s economy.

“It will allow us to deploy experts to tackle some of the biggest issues facing our native wildlife – like the threat of chlamydia on the local koala population,” she said. “It will be the first of its kind in our state.

“Our native animals are a hit with tourists around the world, particularly Chinese visitors, and today’s announcement will help to keep the Gold Coast front-of-mind for prospective tourists.”

Construction will begin mid-year. Once open, it will allow school groups and visitors to get a first-hand look at research being performed.